Voxel-based finite element modelling with VOX-FE2

Scientists at the University of Hull have developed their simulation software to utilise ARCHER to model complete bones or large sections of bones. This offers the exciting opportunity to model skeletal development and adaptation. The potential benefits are enormous, ranging from a better understanding of both the fundamental biomechanics of bone and the cause and effects of musculoskeletal conditions, to better implant design.

In 2014, ARCHER eCSE funding (project ID ‘ecse01-015’) was awarded to redevelop VOX-FE to improve its capabilities, performance and usability. In order to take advantage of libraries and technologies which have become de facto, open source standards over the intervening years, it was decided to move to different platforms for both the GUI and solver. Details of this this development project and discussion of the results are detailed herein: the new GUI is discussed in section 2, and development of the solver is described in section 3. Section 4 introduces the new remodelling tools which have been developed on ARCHER.